Lim: "Girls remain rivals that are in the field"

Sparkling, smiling and full of energy, Alizé Lim is a personality who detonates in the world of female tennis.She confided in Clubhouse, all with a smile and in a good mood.A refreshing interview to find in issue 4 of our Clubhouse magazine.

You arrived quite late on the circuit, because you continued your studies.Is it a choice where you have regrets? "It's a choice, yes and no.My parents left me the choice, of course.But it was not really one, because, at the time, I did not realize what playing tennis involved.Indeed, I might have liked to waste less time, knowing earlier what it required.Even if no one forced me.»»

It may be useful for the future ... "It still serves, yes, but I am focused on tennis, today.Everyone has their own journey. On ne peut pas dire : « J’aurais été ceci si j’avais fait ça… »»»

You started to become the muse of sporty rooster at the end of 2014.It is a pride to represent such a brand? "Inevitably, it is very flattering and important for me.I'm happy of that.Especially since the brand trusts me and lets me get involved in the design.»»

That's to say ?"I have a lot, a lot of freedom!I didn't think I had so much.I was able to choose whatever I wanted for my outfit, the colors, the materials, the shape I wanted, the themes for the coming seasons ... For the moment, I am investing in the match outfits.I would like to do more, but everything in its time.»»

Ultimately, investing in fashion is something that interests you? "Yes, really.Today, for example, I have one day off, I completely disconnect.But, at the same time, it is at the service of my tennis.Frankly, this is ideal.I love fashion.This is the first time that I will see my ideas take shape, it is my first drawing that will become real (laughs). Le fait que ce soit toi qui choi­sisses, c’est génial !»»

Your first collection will be released for Roland Garros? "Yes.I have already been able to do a capsule collection for the beginning of 2015.It was not in the same circumstances.I had less freedom, because I had to do quickly, simply.»»

What does that mean, being the muse of a brand?Maybe it’s not the right term, but is it a little bit of the brand's model? "I think there are several caps.I obviously wear the clothes of the brand and I represent its values.Yes, there is also the model side, because I take pictures with the different collections.But, as I said, I also get involved in design.So it's not just to sign with a brand and wear your clothes.»»

Are you not afraid that the face/model aspect will take over your sports career? "I was afraid at some point, that is certain.It was a few years ago.Today, no, because everything is clear in my head.»»

What was your fear? "It was no more image question.Are we going to take me less seriously in my tennis if I play the model card next to it? ... Today, there is no problem.If I can do more things, so much the better.Any experience is good to take.It doesn't work on my tennis, I manage to manage both.We find the dates, or not, depending on my calendar (laughs)!Tennis is always my priority.That being clear in my head, I have no scruples to have.»»

The general public, who really discovered you during your first round against Serena Williams, at Roland Garros 2014, could have been amalgamated ... "At the time, I was touching everything and I was actually fearing that it happens.But, today, it's said in my head, I know what I want.This is the most important to me.No matter the image I am given to me.»»

I read an interview whose title was: "I am not the new Anna Kournikova" ... "Yes, I remember!I hadn't talked about her, but I was asked the question.And I replied that Anna Kournikova had still had a good career.I'm not the new Kournikova, because I have my own personality and everything to build.I have nothing against her.I admired it when I was little, but I don't particularly identify myself with her.I know she was very attracted to the media.Martina Hingis told me.She told me it had boosted her.When they played together in doubles, if there was no one, she was not very motivated.As soon as the photographers and the cameras arrived, she began to play better. Elle avait besoin qu’on la regarde !»»

To stay in memories, I found the promotional campaign of the Saint -Malo Open, in 2011.Do you understand that she did a little controversial? "I would not do that today!I was paid to do this campaign, I followed the directives, as when we sign a contract with a brand. Ce n’était pas moi qui avais choisi les vête­ments, la coif­fure, le maquillage, rien du tout… Je me suis laissée porter et rien ne me plai­sait… Je l’ai regretté après…»»

That is to say? "It was super vulgar.It was not me, it was not sporty ... I did not understand why they did that.And, at the time, I did not dare to say it.Afterwards, I regretted and, growing up, I told myself that I would never do it again again.Even if I was paid for that, the photos remain and it is my image ... I did not like this campaign at all.»»

Today, tennis is one of the female sports that is best, but we had to fight to get there ... "I find that we have a pretty well -mediated sport.Obviously, not as much as men.But I do not find that we have to complain.I'm going to be killed by other girls saying that (laughs), but the best in the world have great contracts. J’ai eu la chance de parti­ciper aux « Étoiles du sport»» et de côtoyer d’autres spor­tives. Je me suis rendue compte qu’on n’était clai­re­ment pas à plaindre…»»

Defending equality between men and women is a cause that could interest you? "I think it's up to us to make our sport more publicized.It won't come on its own.If people choose to look at male tennis rather than female tennis, it is also our fault.We must make it interesting in one way or another, whether through the game, by our personality, by our outfits (laughs)!I am rather on this side -.I'm not going to complain saying, "Yes, it sucks, people prefer male tennis, it's not egalitarian.»» À nous de d’éga­liser les choses.There remains the question of the prize money ... there, we can do nothing.But if we manage to arouse attention and interest, the rest will follow.»»

How would you make female tennis more attractive? "I think it is really the personalities of the players who have a role to play.Serena has a big personality, but it's a bit the only one.It’s really different from the male circuit.»»

Why? "The guys are cooler, they have a better mindset, they are more fair.The Federer - Nadal rivalry is absolutely incomparable, nothing to do with what is between Serena and Maria Sharapova.Girls are more closed.»»

What does it mean ?There is more competition between you? "Yes, everyone is getting a little in their legs.There is no cut between the field and daily life.The men manage to compete, have a rivalry on the court and to behave normally once the match is over.»»

The girls therefore fail to get out of the competition context ... "No, not really.They remain rivals that are in the field.And say, for some, that you should not be friends, because we are competitors.Several players say, such as Sharapova or Bouchard."I'm not here to make friends, it's my job.»» Ce n’est pas ma vision des choses.»»

The attractiveness of the circuit also raises the question of the fight for the parity of the earnings ... "It is indeed a problem.Among women, tournaments equivalent to challengers are managed by ITF.Now, among guys, ATP takes care of it.So it's easier for them, the hotel is taken care of ... In women, there is only care in WTA tournaments.Even in a 100,000, we pay our hotel (Editor's note: the first WTA tournaments are 125,000).It is also a consequence of the crisis.There are fewer and fewer tournaments.In March, we can hardly play!Each year, we say that it cannot be worse ... And yet, if, the decrease in the number of tests is systematic.Before, there was a difficult period in January and February.Now she runs from January to March ... and it's complicated in October again.The only easy months are April, May, June and July.Several tournaments were forced to stop because they lost their sponsors.»»

Is it to be attractive ... (she speaks) "The public does not like stereotypical tennis too much in girls.And then, people look at the physical a lot and criticize it all the time!People want girls to be cute, to go on the fly and they make winning cushions (laughs).But it's true !Afterwards, yes, I understand it, it would take greater diversity in adversity.»»

To please the public also involves a presence on social networks, as you do, you?" Ah yes of course.Social networks have taken a big place in the lives of professional players.For my part, I do it quite naturally.Twitter and Instagram, it's me and my personality.The rest, I don't care.It also allows me to cut a little tennis.Obviously, I'm not going to put a photo after six hours of training.If people have followed a player all year round, they will see her play, they will feel close to her, connected and more encourage her.»»

Finally, an indiscreet little question (laughs) ... How do you live by being Jérémy Chardy's girlfriend on the circuit? "I don't think about it!I do not have the impression that people identify me like Jérémy's girlfriend. D’ailleurs, c’est lui, le copain d’Alizé Lim (rires) !»»

=> Grand Chelem n°46 en télé­char­ge­ment gratuit Retrouvez gratui­te­ment et en inté­gra­lité le numéro 46 « Spécial Roland Garros»» de notre maga­zine GrandChelem..Good reading !

Posted on Thursday May 21, 2015 at 12:08 PM